Bedouin village destroyed along West Bank

By

Allen Cone

Bedouin children stand near the remains of a house demolished by Israeli forces in the Abu Nuwar village, West Bank, on Wednesday, near the Israeli settlement Ma'ale Adumim. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo

Israeli forces guard a bulldozer demolishing bedouin homes in the Abu Nuwar village of the West Bank, on Wednesday. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo

This is an overview of the Jahalain bedouin village in Al Khan al Ahmar, West Bank, which is facing demolition by Israel,.Israeli heavy equipment arrived today to prepare a road for the complete demolition of the village, which includes a school. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo

July 4 (UPI) -- Israeli authorities on Wednesday demolished nine houses and three other structures used for agricultural purposes at the Bedouin village of Abu Nawwar near the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim.

In Abu Nawwar, the B'Tselem rights group told the Times of Israel that 62 people, half of them minors, were left homeless. Israeli authorities demolished a school in the community in February, saying it had been illegally built.

The community is home to 687 Palestinians, with 65 percent children, Daoud Jahaleen, a spokesperson for the community, told Anadolu Agency.

Also Wednesday, residents of the Bedouin village in Khan al-Ahmar clashed with Israeli police during a protest against the evictions and impending demolition. Police said in a statement that 11 people were arrested during disturbances at the site, some for throwing rocks at officers.

Residents of Khan al-Ahmar and protesters attempted to block construction equipment from advancing as it was moved into the area to pave an access road for the demolition. Some climbed onto a bulldozer.

On Tuesday night, Israel's Civil Administration hung notices around Khan al-Ahmar, warning they will be evicted. No timeline was given.

Bedouin men from the Jahalain tribe sit in a tent at the entrance to the Al Khan al-Ahmar village in the West Bank, which is facing immediate demolition by Israel. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

Israeli officials said the homes were built without permits. Israel wants to expand the settlement of Kfar Adumim.